Sunday 12th September
Hedwig was really enjoying finally getting to stretch her wings on a good long flight. Last weekend, being so close to the start of term, Hermione hadn't needed to send a letter home, but this week there was one. Hedwig liked taking mail to the Grangers, they were always so happy to receive the mail and it was always very easy to charm a little bit of Bacon off Mrs Granger, if there was any for breakfast. And there normally was on a Sunday.
She was flying over Hampstead Heath, coming from the north. it wasn't the shortest route but she was sure the air currents made it faster this time. She could see the Grangers' household now. There was a kitchen window open waiting for her. She had grown accustomed to the Grangers' home over the summer, so she was able to fly straight in.
She found her perch waiting for her and the smell of Mrs Granger cooking bacon. She gave of a polite little hoot to tell Mrs Granger she was here.
"Good morning Hedwig, you brought Hermione's weekly letter?" Hedwig hooted while nodding her head.
"Thank you. I won't ask if you want some bacon, because I already know the answer." She added two more pieces of bacon to her pan as she spoke, then filled a bowl with water and set it where Hedwig could easily reach.
Hedwig nipped Mrs Granger's finger affectionately and held out Hermione's letter. Mrs Granger untied the letter. Hedwig always insisted on finishing her job before having food or water. She still had a job to do. Freed of her burden, Hedwig took a long drink. Mrs Granger set a bowl of cut bits of bacon next to the bowl of water, and soon the owl was feasting on her favourite 'invention' of humans.
Mrs Granger sat down at the dining room table with Hermione's unopened envelope in hand. Unfortunately, Dan wasn't home as he was due to work early, meaning she would be left to read it alone. Usually, they both sat together on the sofa, reading the magical antics their daughter got up to, and having a laugh or two at her expense. While they didn't necessarily understand the wizarding world, they could grasp what Hermione usually meant.
She looked at the immaculate writing littering the front of the yellow envelope. It was very different from Harry's. His was more of a...scrawl. She smiled as she remembered the note she'd gotten from Harry only yesterday…
--- ϟϟϟ ---
It was early in the morning, and Emma Granger was cleaning while Dan Granger sat at the table, eating breakfast. They were going to go to work soon, and since they decided to wake a little later than usual, they were a little rushed.
As her husband spilt yet another round of crumbs onto the table, Emma flicked some cold water at his exposed neck and back;
"I'd thank you for not ruining my clean kitchen, which if I remember, we're both meant to be cleaning?" Dan looked up at her a little sheepishly, "Sorry love, I'm just a little tired." She scoffed at him, "what, with an extra 45 minutes of sleep and two cups of coffee!? You go upstairs right now and get ready mister, or there will be hell to pay!"
He grumbled as he meandered his way up to their room, grumbling about overbearing wives. "I heard that!" Emma yelled after him. His speed increased exponentially as the thought of making his wife angry fueled him with new-found wakefulness.
Emma turned back to the last of the dishes, grumbling herself about 'lazy ass' husbands, when there was a sharp tap at the window. She looked up, and was confused to see Harry's owl bearing a letter on her leg. She opened the window for Hedwig, allowing the owl to settle a little before approaching it.
Hermione never sent letters on a Saturday. What if something had happened?
She began panicking a little, but managed to calm herself enough to take the letter from Hedwig's leg, giving the owl some water from the bowl she kept for her. Hedwig looked at her expectantly, awaiting her bacon. "Sorry, Hedwig, but I've just finished breakfast, so there's nothing to give you." Hedwig hooted, before settling on the back of a chair. Her perch was still up in the guest room.
Emma sat down at the table, a sickening anticipation filling her stomach. She was nervous to read the letter, but was also immensely curious. She steeled herself as she ripped open the top of the envelope, taking out the single sheet of parchment. She then laughed in relief at the contents of the letter;
Dear Mr & Mrs Granger,
With Hermione's birthday coming up I was hoping I could ask you for a little help.
I was wondering if you had any ideas how to celebrate her birthday in a way she would enjoy. The only thing I can think of is a party in the common room but I know Hermione isn't a big fan of them.
I also wondered if you wanted Hedwig to stop by on the 18th so you could send Hermione a card or something?
Hope your well,
Harry
- ϟϟϟ -
Today's letter from Hermione was a lot longer;
Dear mum and dad;
How was your week? Anything interesting happen? Sorry I didn't write last weekend but we were still home most of the week so there wasn't much to write about. Unlike now.
My week has been a bit of a roller coaster. It started on the train to Hogwarts; as you know, we were running a little late. This meant only one cabin was free, which also happened to have our new defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin, who is such an amazing teacher, more on that later. It was a fairly eventful trip, at first it was only Malfoy poking his head in our compartment to insult me and Harry, like he does every trip. He even came up with a new insult for me: " mogblood", someone really needs to teach the ferret some manners.
However, the most fascinating part of the trip was when the guards of Azkaban (you know the wizard prison?) turned up to search the train for Bellatrix LeStrange. They're called Dementors, and my god they are creepy. Remind me never to break wizarding law; I definitely don't want to go to prison, especially if they're the prison guards. Not that I want to break the law to begin with.
The Hogwarts feast was amazing this year, one of the desserts they had was some really nice chocolate ice cream and there was some warm caramel sauce and you know how much I like chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream. And Dad stop the grumbling I know you're doing, we won't have desserts that sugary again until Halloween.
The first day of classes were also rather eventful. Our first lesson was potions with Professor Snape. He refused to believe Harry had actually done his homework when he handed it in. He accused me of doing it for him; as if I would ever! So Professor Snape took points from Harry and gave him a weekend detention and Harry was angry about that. You saw how much work he put into that essay.
We also had our first Runes class that day. Professor Babbling gave us a great lecture on how Runes are used to anchor spells and magic to an object or location. It's what happened in Transfiguration that was interesting, apparently, someone had told Professor McGonagall about Harry's detention and after class, she asked Harry what happened.
McGonagall, after checking Harry's transfiguration homework and seeing that he'd put more effort into it this time, reversed Professor Snape's detention and the points loss. Harry was quite happy about that, though it wasn't surprising; Snape's detention would have been milking Flobberworms. Flobberworm mucus is useful in potions, but milking the giant slug-like creatures is not pleasant.
Professor McGonagall also informed Harry that as he has a free spot in his timetable he has to find something to fill it. I tried to push for him to retake his Latin exam but neither me nor professor McGonagall could convince him to do that, I guess Harry really doesn't like Latin. He has till the 1st of October to decide what he's going to do. I think he might be looking into doing some type of Runes project.
Apparently, the headband he made me, Professor Babbling helped him do the Runes needed for it. I think Harry is interested in some type of applied Runes project in his free time, he keeps going for walks to think about it.
Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin, seems to be a really good teacher. In Our first lesson he taught us how to deal with a creature called a Boggart, which is a shape-changing creature that feeds on fear, or more precisely, the psychic energy produced by humans when they are afraid. A Boggart changes its form into whatever it thinks would scare you the most. The charm to fight them uses their own shape-shifting against them, it tricks them into a shape we find funny.
It was a great lesson. Professor Lupin had Neville help him demonstrate. The Boggart turned into Professor Snape, but the charm changed the Boggart into Snape wearing Madam Longbottom's clothes, even her hat! You remember the one she was wearing in Diagon Alley when we went to get mine and Harry's school supplies? I'm not sure what to make of Neville's biggest fear being one of his teachers. Shouldn't your teacher be the people you feel you can ask for help if you need to?
I'm glad Professor Lupin didn't let Harry tackle the boggart. The Professor thought for Harry it would turn into Voldemort, you remember the man who killed Harry's parents? But I think it would most likely turn into his uncle, and I'm not sure Harry would cope too well with the whole school knowing about that.
I'm loving Arithmancy. We are breaking down the mathematics of the magic behind spells and it's super interesting. But it's hard to describe...like trying to explain red to a blind person. If you can't feel magic it's not something I can explain.
Care of Magical Creatures was an event. The old Professor retired and Hagrid is now teaching the class. He is a really good teacher, I was surprised how good he was at teaching us. His first lesson was on a creature called a Hippogriff, it's these half-horse, half-eagle things that look really amazing. Harry even got to fly on one. Hagrid was doing a really amazing job teaching, he really knows his Magical Creatures. He was telling us about how hippogriffs are extremely proud animals and how the one thing you should never do is insult one. Then Malfoy walks right up to the one Harry flew on and called it an "ugly brute"...well he ended up in the hospital wing with a gash in his arm. It would be a serious injury without magic. Of course Madam Pomfrey fixed him right up in minutes. But he is faking that it still hurts for sympathy. I know he is faking it, because if it still hurt the amount he said it did, Madam Pomfrey would be giving him potions for the pain.
Harry thinks Malfoy is up to something. But then again, Harry always thinks Malfoy is up to something. Though, Harry has been right about that a few times, so I'm not sure what to think.
I'm glad Harry and I didn't take Divination. Apparently the Professor is not very good. According to Professor McGonagall, she predicts the death of a student at the start of each year, and so far every single one is still alive. To make it worse, this year she picked two. Harry and Neville. With Bellatrix Lestrange running free, that's a horrible thing to do. Harry doesn't have to deal with it too much, but Neville took Divination and has to listen to the Professor say that stuff three days a week. I can see that it's upsetting him. I tried reminding him that Professor McGonagall said that not one person Trelawney predicted would die ever has, but I think he was already worried about LeStrange attacking him and this is just making things worse.
Harry and I are doing great. I know it sounds weird given everything going on but it's great being back at Hogwarts. Harry always said arriving at Hogwarts is like "coming home" and it's not quite but I know what he means. Now I think about it he hasn't said it this year. I wonder why?
Hope everything is good at home.
With Love,
Hermione
Mrs Granger set the letter down after reading it twice. She considered Hermione's last question first and smiled; her daughter was brilliant but she could sometimes miss the obvious.
- ϟϟϟ -
Mr Granger was currently in a little bakery, he had skipped breakfast this morning to have enough time to drive to Surrey for a meeting. When he arrived at the nine-story building s solid 35 minutes early, he was relieved to see this nice little bakery directly across the road. He ordered a corned beef pasty* and struck up a conversation with the baker;
"So, you know anything about the business across the road?"
"Oh, you mean Grunnings?" Mr Granger nodded as he fished around in his pocket for change, "A lot of them come in for lunch most days. Generally good people."
He handed the baker a stack of silver coins that covered the bill, "what about their CEO Mr Dursley? I have a meeting with him soon."
"You mean Vernon? He's in here most days too, one of my biggest customers. You'll understand that when you meet him. He's always bragging about the boarding school his kid goes to."
Mr Granger considered that for a moment he was talking about Harry, but soon realised that was foolish. Did Harry's cousin also go to boarding school? "He sends his boy to a boarding school?"
The baker handed him his breakfast, "Yep. Smeltings...if I remember the name right. He was complaining just last week about them putting up the tuition fee again." Mr Granger thanked the baker and began making his way over to the Grunnings facility, eating his pasty as he went and being careful to avoid getting the flaky pastry all over himself. He needed to put his best foot forward for now.
He checked his appearance, then walked through the door. The reception desk was staffed by a young woman who looked fresh out of school. "Good morning sir, how can I help you today?"
"Good morning miss..." he checked her nametag, "Davies...I have a 10 o'clock appointment with Mr Dursley."
Suddenly the receptionist's smile became rather forced, "yes sir, I will just call him up and tell him you have arrived. Can I please have your name?"
"Doctor Daniel Granger." If he wasn't looking for things to use against Dursley, he was doubtful he would have seen the slight hesitation in the receptionist's hands before she picked up the phone. Miss Davies was perfectly happy until she heard she had to phone her boss, Dursley. Mr Granger could hear him on the phone, degrading the poor girl for interrupting him. It was going to be hard keeping his temper today.
- ϟϟϟ -
Mr Granger climbed back into his car and drove away from the industrial estate in the south side of Surrey. He drove for ten minutes before pulling over. There, he finally dropped his poker face. For a few minutes, he was nothing but rage, anger and tears. He seen it in every member of staff who he was introduced to; they were all wary of Dursley. It was clear by the end of their meeting that Dursley was the type of boss who ruled with fear, constantly yelling at people who get even the slightest thing wrong. The type that was hell to work for.
In contrast to that was how he treated Mr Granger when he met him. The man definitely knew how to be nice. All the fake niceties had made Dr Granger sick with anger, especially considering he knew what the man had done to Harry; it was obvious how the man treated anyone he saw as beneath him.
But the trip had some worth to it. The business was secure, but Dursley's position wasn't. There were small clues all over, if you knew where to look. Dursley didn't own the company like he claimed, though he owned a lot of the stock. But, the other shareholders were not happy with him. It was the only thing that fit everything he'd seen. He wished he could see more of their records, but all he saw were the few papers left on Dursley's desk while said person had popped to the loo.
Dr Granger restarted his car after he had regained his composure, starting on the journey home. He really wanted some time with his wife right now. He had just reached the outskirts of London when he started chuckling to himself. The baker was right; Dursley was definitely his biggest customer